Psychotherapy Services in North York

• Drug Addiction
• ADHD
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Anorexia
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Often individuals come to therapy because they are struggling with a variety of different psychological issues. These can be caused by their current life circumstances, personality style, relationships or vocation. Psychotherapy is very useful in working through these issues and provides the opportunity for individuals to really progress forward in learning new habits and coping skills. Examples of such issues include, but are not limited to;

• Caregiver Stress
• Chronic Illness/Pain
• Low Self-Esteem
• Perfectionism
• Stress & Burnout

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  The process of CBT allows one to see the connection between his or her thoughts, feelings, environment and behaviour.  Automatic negative thoughts are challenged and new alternative balanced thoughts are created.  This type of therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for those suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and eating disorders.  For those suffering from depression the process will also include behavioural activation, and for those suffering from anxiety the process will also include exposure therapy.

• Mindfulness Meditation

  Before working on personal challenges it’s important for individuals to cultivate an appreciation for the present moment, and to learn how to focus their attention.  Many therapists bring these practices to psychotherapy sessions and it can be helpful to bring down the stress response, but also important in teaching clients independent coping skills.

• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  Born out of CBT, DBT goes deeper into teaching mindfulness skills, emotional regulation skills and interpersonal effectiveness.  Often therapy is combined with a psychoeducation series for maximum effect.  DBT has shown promising results in helping individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder and Binge Eating Disorders as well as various other psychological issues.

• Motivational Interviewing

  This is a style of communication that allows therapists to guide clients in their own journey of self-discovery.  By asking open-ended questions, providing affirmations and summary of conversations, therapists are able to get a more in depth understanding of what the client is struggling with and thus better be able to guide the client through the correct interventions.

• Solution Focused Therapy

  Rather than focusing on a client’s current symptoms, the solution focused approach places focus on what steps the client can take to create the changes they are looking for in their life.  These goals are developed by unveiling times in the client’s life that they have previously, even if only in some respect, embodied their desired experience and then focus on making a plan to further develop those skills.

• Strengths Based Therapy

  The premise in strength based therapy is to positively building one’s sense of self. It focuses on aspects of the person’s identity, and ways of being that have previously facilitated adaptive coping and relationships. This approach is usually based on aspects of positive psychology and wellness. Making meaning, finding purpose and renewing hope are often underlying tasks in strength based work.

• Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

  EFT is both an approach and style of therapy that focuses on interpersonal relationships.  Humans thrive when they have connection and intimacy.  Dr. Sue Johnson author of “Hold me Tight” and originator of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) says: “When people feel loved they are feeder, more alive and more powerful then they ever imagined”.  This is type of therapy although extremely powerful in couples work, is very much transferable to individual counselling and is sometimes called Emotional Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT).